echo (helper) related fixes and such (multiple bugs)

these address: #952876, #952877, #952878, #952879, #952880, #952881, #952882 and #952883

there are a couple of minor other related commits thrown in for which is was not worth creating a report

there are also a couple of unrelated commits at the bottom that had to be bundled due to conflicts, both of which have got MRs previously submitted.

Closes: #952876

Closes: #952877

Closes: #952878

Closes: #952879

Closes: #952880

Closes: #952881

Closes: #952882

Closes: #952883